Patrick Yaw Nimo (M) flanked by Kwangbyong Lee and Kassem Odaymat displaying the MoU
KIA Corporation of the Republic of Korea has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with Rana Motors to provide technical training and skills to technicians in the automobile industry.
The technical training and skills development, provided by the West African Vehicle Academy (WAVA) and located on the premises of Rana Motors, was started in 2020.
Per the MoU, the technical training is expected to offer trainees opportunity to learn state-of-the-art and advanced technologies in the automotive industry that would equip them with both theoretical and practical skills in their work especially, with the advent of electric vehicles in recent times.
The Academy, operated by Rana Motors, the first automobile company to provide such training in Ghana, has trained over 1800 people in the automobile industry providing them both theoretical and practical training using state of the art diagnostic equipment.
Kwangbyong Lee, Head of Ownership Enhancement at KIA Corporation, said apart from providing essential technical training tools, KIA Corporation has also pledged to support Rana Motors with training vehicles.
According to him, the company’s commitment underscores KIA’s dedication to nurturing a skilled workforce in Ghana that will ensure top tier services to KIA customers to create an environment where employees could acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the automotive industry.
Technical tools provided by KIA to support the training academy include EV6, a cross over utility electric vehicle providing advanced experience based on differentiated styling and utilities; and 1 unit of Sorento HEV which is a mid-size SUV to assist in a variety of activities
The rest are 1 unit smart stream diesel engine with new technologies, 1 unit of E-GMP drive system, basic tools for electric vehicle training 2 unit of Oculus Quest 2 for the preparation of the electric vehicle which would not only be used by Rana Motor’s training academy but also government  and educational Institutions.
Chief operating officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat, Â Â who thanked KIA Corporation and the Korean government, said the academy, which started five years ago with the support of GIZ and Bosch has trained over 1500 technicians and trainers from service partners with a range of technical training modules to ensure trainees and businesses have a competitive edge in the car service industry.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade, Patrick Yaw Nimo, who lauded KIA Corporation and Rana Motors said the partnership marks the convergence of making Ghana an automobile hub, building a strong local participation  and investment by KIA ,  which he believes would be  strengthened by the automotive code that will  ensuring vehicle safety and standards in the industry.
BY Ebenezer K. Amponsah